I suspect most people go through life not truly understanding that the God of all creation sees them. I know I did not grasp the truth that God sees me for a long time. Maybe I did a little, but the concept has grown with time and experience. There are still moments when I have an experience of the love of God, the God who sees me, and the truth sinks in a little deeper.
Hagar, in Genesis 16, ran away from a difficult situation. She couldn’t stand being mistreated by Sarah who she served. Sarah gave Hagar to her husband Abraham to fulfill a promise from God to have a son. Problem was, they were impatient and did not see the full plan, so they tried to do it their own way. Hagar became pregnant, and Sarah became jealous. In her fear and anger Sarah began to treat Hagar badly.
God appeared to Hagar in the desert to guide and bless her. That is when she understood “You are the God who sees me.” That phrase also became the name of the water well where they met.
When I say, “sees me,” I mean Abba knows me, just like He knew Hagar. I am a friend, not because of anything I have done, but because I am His created and chosen one, just like you are. I am one Christ came to reconcile to himself. So are you. Jesus said: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16
Wow! God knows me and you, chose me and you, hears and answers my prayers and yours, and sees me and you! “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”Psalm 139:1-4
Abba, help us to slow down so we can see you at work in and around us. Thank you for seeing Hagar. Thank you for seeing and knowing each one of us intimately. Help us to know that when you see us, you see Christ righteousness. You see the ones you chose to bear your fruit. May we walk in ever-increasing faith and intimacy with you! Amen
